A Proposed Submarine Cable Through the Sapodilla Cayes: Should There Be Concern?

The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) says a proposed submarine telecommunications cable passing through the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve is expected to have minimal environmental impact.

TIDE Executive Director Leonardo Chavarria Jr. told News 5 that TIDE had reviewed the proposed route for the Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS) TAM-1 cable and consulted experts on its potential effects on the marine environment.

“The majority of our concerns have been addressed,” Chavarria said. He explained that the proposed route avoids sensitive marine habitats.

“It is not close to any coral reef areas or fish farming and aggregation sites. It is mostly in what we call a deep-sea fishing zone,” he said.

Chavarria acknowledged that laying the cable would cause some disturbance to the seabed but said the overall impact on the marine ecosystem was expected to be minimal.

The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment examines the potential effects of the cable installation and outlines measures intended to limit environmental disruption. The proposed route through the reserve forms part of a wider regional telecommunications network connecting countries across the Caribbean and Central America.

Belize is not currently set to connect directly to the TAM-1 system. Chavarria said Belize could potentially join the network in the future, creating an opportunity to increase its bandwidth capacity.

“Currently there isn’t any benefit to us,” he said. “But because we have or we will allow the cable to traverse within Belizean territorial waters, if they want to join this network, that opportunity will be available to Belize.”

Chavarria said the project would proceed once the necessary clearances were obtained, noting that the Belize Fisheries Department has the authority to approve or reject development within the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.